... The aim of this study was to develop a methodology to measure sow udder conformation to use in studying the correlation between udder traits and piglet survival, health and performance. The steps in the investigation were (i) to assess the repeatability of measures, (ii) to determine if there was an important difference between the two sides of the udder, (iii) to assess the extent of variation be ...

... Periparturient pain is a welfare concern and could contribute to piglet losses. This has led to studies investigating post-farrowing analgesia. A clear reduction in pain has not been demonstrated, partly due to a lack of pain indicators. This study quantified behaviours as potential pain indicators (PPIn) in sows: i) before, during and after farrowing, and ii) 2min before and after piglet births. ...

... The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a relationship between the latency to the first suckling and udder and teat morphology and to assess the extent to which piglet and sow characteristics influence teat pair position preference. Udder morphology trait measurements, piglet suckling behavior, and sow productive and behavioral traits were recorded from a population of 74 Large White ...

... The level of maternal care experienced by offspring in early life may influence their future behaviour. If maternal behaviour is influenced by the level of mother-young interaction in early life, this may persist in subsequent generations through altered maternal behaviour of female offspring. In the present study, post-farrowing behaviour of gilts and their piglets was observed in a crossover exp ...

... This experiment investigated the effects of rearing piglets in a multi-litter lactation system on piglet aggression at weaning. The following four pre-weaning treatments were applied to 72 sows and their litters (n=642 piglets); (1) Farrowing crate (‘FC’ − n=24 sows), (2) PigSAFE pens, in which sows and piglets are loose housed, (‘PS’ − n=24 sows), (3) Farrowing crate and group lactation (‘GLFC’ − ...

... The aim of this study was to investigate effects of confinement in Sow Welfare and Piglet protection pens (SWAP pen) for four days after farrowing on sow behaviour and salivary cortisol levels. Sows were randomly allocated to three treatments: loose-loose (LL), loose-confined (LC) or confined-confined (CC). Sows in LL were loose housed when they entered the farrowing unit until weaning. Sows in LC ...

... The use of nurse sows in Danish piggeries is common practice because of large litter sizes; however, the effect of being selected as a nurse sow on subsequent reproductive performance is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify a nurse sow's reproductive performance in the subsequent litter. Nurse sows were defined as sows weaning their own litter at least 18 days postpartum and t ...

... A total of 28 crossbred sows in their third parity were allotted to one of four treatments. A 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the response of suckling pigs and sows to two levels of supplemental bacteriophages (0 and 1.0g/kg bacteriophages), in sows diet (SF) and suckling piglets diet (CF). The supplementation of bacteriophages in suckling piglet's diet showed incre ...

... This paper presents a novel approach to automated classification and quantification of sow postures and posture transitions that may enable large scale and accurate continuous behaviour assessment on farm. Automatic classification and quantification of postures and posture transitions in domestic animals has substantial potential to enhance their welfare and productivity. Analysis of such behaviou ...

... This research investigates and evaluates different management systems, based on experiences of professional pig farmers to assist pig farmers in their choice for an appropriate management system. Flemish (Belgian) pig farmers were asked to complete a survey concerning the characteristics of their farm and the applied batch management system (BMS). Hence, advantages and disadvantages of all managem ...

... Swine plays a significant role in livestock agriculture. As a linkage between sows and piglets, porcine milk is crucial for the health of newborn piglets. Free milk oligosaccharides (MOs) are kinds of important bioactive substance in mammalian milk. However, little is known about the component and function of the porcine MOs (PMOs). In this study, a hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled w ...

... This study assessed the dynamics of cephalosporin resistant (CR) E. coli populations during the life cycle of pigs treated early in life with ceftiofur or tulathromycin. The study was conducted at eight conventional pig farms; four for each treatment with ceftiofur or tulathromycin. At each farm, 70 7-day-old piglets were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 30) and a treatment group (n = ...

... To be able to raise larger litters, the influences of alternative rearing strategies on piglets are currently assessed. This study compared the predominant Gram type of the adherent intestinal microbiota between conventionally and artificially reared piglets and quantified their major mucosal immune cell populations. In addition, the potential influence of the piglets' birth weights was examined. ...

... Alternatives to farrowing crates have been developed to improve sow welfare. These alternative farrowing systems have been designed to provide more space, allowing sows greater freedom of movement during lactation. This experiment was part of a larger study comparing sow and piglet performance and behaviour in two farrowing systems. In one farrowing system, sows were housed in crates from 5days pr ...

... A previously-validated method to induce variation in milk production between teats of the same udder that is not related to the ante-posterior location of the teat was used. In the first lactation, over half of the sows’ teats (teats 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 from 1 side of the udder, and teats 3, 4, and 7 from the other side) were sealed with tape so that they were non-functional (treated (TRT) teats), w ...

... In 2013, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) emerged in the United States as a rapidly spreading epidemic causing dramatic death losses in suckling piglets. Neonatal piglets are most vulnerable to clinical disease and their only protection is passive immunity from their dam. At the end of the third year of the PEDV outbreak, most US sow herds have been infected and many are entering into an end ...

... BACKGROUND: Structural chromosome abnormalities are well known as factors that reduce fertility rate in domestic pigs. According to large-scale national cytogenetic screening programs that are implemented in France, it is estimated that new chromosome abnormalities occur at a rate of 0.5 % in fertility-unproven boars. RESULTS: This work aimed at estimating the prevalence and consequences of chromo ...

... Critical indicators of intensive production in hog raising are continuity of production, high level of produced series-tours, application of the most contemporary technological achievements without any turnover of capital, high merchandise turnover, and intensive usage of the reproduction potential of breeding material. Production of piglets represents one of the most essential phases in the produ ...

... The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of betaine supplementation during lactation in hot summer months on piglet growth and sow subsequent reproductive performance. The betaine feeding portion of the experiment was conducted between December 2014 and March 2015 with subsequent litter data completed by July 2015 in Rancagua, Chile. Dietary treatments were allotted randomly to ...